Pages

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Readers, I was privileged to read this manuscript for endorsement. I loved the book, and I believe you will, too.

Welcome, Diane and Aaron. Why do you write the
kind of books you do?

Diane – Writing historical novels is interesting because of
all the history I learn from the research. I enjoyed reading Regency romances
as a teenager, so writing historicals now is not too much of a stretch.

Aaron – I fell in love with Christian historical fiction
after reading The Honorable Imposter
by Gilbert Morris. I was thrilled to see this type of novel with the added bonus
of glorifying the Lord. I am blessed that God allows me to use the talents He
has given to continue to write these types of books.

Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Diane – My wedding day. I am so lucky to have met and
married Gene. He is a special gift from God.

Aaron – I have been blessed with many, so I’ll just choose
the day I received my first book contract. What a special feeling!

How has being
published changed your life?

Diane – It has helped me understand the industry better. Having
the extra income is also allowing me to retire from my day job this summer so I
can spend more time writing.

Aaron – I have met so many wonderful people who have added
so many things to my life and blessed me in so many ways.

What are you reading
right now?

Diane - Book of Days
by James L. Rubart.

Aaron – I am reading The
River Queen by Gilbert Morris.

What is your current
work in progress?

We are currently working on book three, Jasmine, in our “Song of the River” series.

Aaron – Visiting a historical site like an old home or
attending some writers’ or Christian publishing event. I love being with like-minded
people who love to talk “book” shop.

How do you choose
your settings for each book?

Diane – The settings for our current series seemed to flow
naturally from the story ideas.

Aaron – They usually come with the idea for a story as Diane
said. I tend to choose that from eras and events in history that capture my
interest and which, I believe, will capture the interests of our readers.

If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Diane - Frank Peretti. His books changed my view of reality
and the spiritual realm. I would love to talk to him about his ideas, beliefs,
and his newest book.

Aaron – Wow, what an interesting question. I would like to
spend some time with George W. Bush. I admire him for his positions on issues
like gay marriage and abortion when many were opposed to his conservative
morality.

What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Diane – Surf-fishing, looking at real estate, traveling.

Aaron – You mean there are other things to do besides
those?! Just kidding. I enjoy spending evenings with friends and watching
classic movies.

What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Diane – By the time I’m at the end of a
project, I feel it is absolutely the worst story ever written. I send it to
Aaron for edits, knowing in my heart he is going to call and confirm my fears.
Prayer and trust in God’s provision are the only solutions.

Aaron – Finding the time to juggle my jobs of teaching and
editing along with the writing is a problem at times. Scheduling my projects
and an understanding and supportive co-author help through the especially busy
times.

What advice would you
give to a beginning author?

Diane – Be patient. My brother often teases me about my
“overnight” success, as he knows I wrote for about ten years before getting
that contract. God has given you this dream of writing for a purpose…His
purpose. He will help you fulfill that purpose if you trust Him.

Aaron – Amen to that. I will add a couple of things. Attend
writers’ conferences and read, read, read in your chosen genre.

Tell us about the
featured book.

From the back of the book:

In 1859 Natchez,
Mississippi, Lily Anderson is
determined to thwart a marriage of convenience. She embarks on a riverboat venture
to keep her and her two sisters afloat financially. But gambler Blake Matthews
has won part ownership of Lily’s riverboat. How will their business profit if
he and the feisty Mississippi
miss disagree about almost everything? The affluent Jean Luc Champney will do
anything to get back what he lost in a card game, including wooing and
endangering the pretty new owner. Will the siren song of the river evolve into
a serenade or a somber lament?

Please give us the
first page of the book.

Lily Anderson watched the passing scenery from the comfort
of her uncle’s carriage. Stately mansions with manicured grounds gave way to
the smaller, sturdy homes of local merchants as they traveled toward the Mississippi River. They passed a busy mercantile and
several shops before the carriage took a sharp leftward downturn toward the
raucous, bustling dock that lay far beneath the genteel residences of Natchez’s
wealthy plantation owners and merchants.

Natchez
Under-the-Hill. She sniffed the air appreciatively as she disembarked, picking
up the scents of fresh coffee, burning wood, and fish. How she loved the river.
She barely noticed the disreputable, rickety inns and saloons that sprouted
like weeds on either side of the winding road called Silver Street.

Roustabouts slumbered in the scant shade of the ramshackle
buildings while a pair of glassy-eyed Indians staggered down the street, each
clutching a brown bottle close to his chest. Lily’s eyes widened at their
blatant drunkenness, but their presence did not deter her eagerness to absorb
every detail of her surroundings as she followed Aunt Dahlia.

Voices shouted in an exciting mix of languages. She wondered
how many countries were represented in this one place. . .English, French,
German, and even lilting Norwegian dialects. The latter brought disturbing
memories, but Lily pushed them away, determined to enjoy her outing on the Mississippi River.

As she and her aunt picked their way past bales of cotton
and barrels of tobacco, her gaze absorbed the myriad boats lining the banks.
Rugged keelboats and waterlogged rafts butted up against lofty steamboats, each
awaiting cargo or passengers to be floated down the river to the port of New Orleans.

Thank you so much for sharing your lives and your wonderful book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Lily (Song of the River) - paperbackLily - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

32 comments:

Good morning, Lena. Looks like i am one of the first here. I loved the interview - what is surf fishing? (obviously i am not a fisher). This novel sounds like a great read. Why can't they use novels to teach history in school? Seems we'd all have learnt a lot more that way.

Thanks for your post, and the great opportunity to win an awesome novel.

Hi Marianne and JoyAnne,When my husband and I fish from the beach, we cast into the surf, thus surf fishing. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Lena is the greatest. I love her books and appreciate the chance to reach out to readers. God bless you.

i like Marianne's previous comment on learning history via novels! especially ones written w/ accuracy to details :) great idea ...this book sounds great and loved your interview !faithhopecherrytea at*gmail.*comfrom CA

Lena thanks for having Diane and Aaron on your blog today:) I totally love historical fictions. I love learning about history along with a large dose of drama and romance. Your book sounds like a great read:) BTW thanks for the great interview...I feel like I know you both better!I would love to be entered for a chance to win :-)

Hey everyone! I am glad you all are enjoying the interview! Thanks for the opportunity, Lena! I love the idea of using historical fiction in history classes. I have seen history teachers use historical movies, so novels really aren't such a stretch. As an English teacher myself, that combines by loves of teaching and reading. Also, I think Christian historical fiction is so important to tell the truth about our country's spiritual heritage which is being lost in secularism.

I've only read the first couple of pages and had to put it down because it was so good I want to save it for when I have lots of quiet time uninterrupted to sink into it. LOL On more thing about Aaron and Diane - they always have time to support and encourage the rest of us.